Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Aug 11: Jackie, one half of the beloved bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow that gained a global following through livestreamed nest cameras in Southern California, has died after several weeks of intensive medical treatment. The Ojai Raptor Center announced her death early Monday, saying her condition had continued to deteriorate despite efforts to save her.
Jackie and her mate Shadow became widely known through Friends of Big Bear Valley’s livestreamed eagle cameras, which allowed thousands of viewers around the world to follow the pair as they built and defended their nest, hunted for fish and raised their eaglets over the past decade.
Jackie was taken into care after a territorial fight with younger eagles left her unable to fly and grounded. Although she did not suffer any significant injuries, subsequent medical examinations revealed that she had life-threatening anaemia.
She remained critically ill in the intensive care unit at the Ojai Raptor Center, where she received oxygen therapy, supportive treatment and round-the-clock monitoring.
The centre said Jackie had endured an “incredibly difficult” final 24 hours and remained critically ill and unstable. Her packed cell volume, or PCV, had fallen below 6% on Saturday and increased by only about 3% on Sunday. The normal PCV range for an eagle is roughly 35% to 55%.
The centre acknowledged that Jackie’s death would be deeply felt by the thousands of people who had followed her journey and supported her treatment.
“We know this news will be deeply felt by the many thousands of people around the world who have followed her journey, hoped alongside us, prayed for her, and supported the people caring for her,” the centre said.
Jackie’s remains have been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Ojai Raptor Center said more information about her treatment would be released later.
Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates the nest camera, also expressed its grief over Jackie’s death and urged followers to support the teams that cared for her.
The centre thanked Jackie’s followers for their messages, prayers and encouragement, saying the bald eagle had brought people together through their shared love of wildlife.